Weeding Ambalipura Lakebed on 20-Sep-2010

Weeding activity on Ambalipura (lower) lake bed started at around 9:45am. Residents from our Bellandur ward started coming on to the lake bund from 9am. First to arrive at lake was Dr.Ashwin Mahesh, Ramesh Shivaram from Rainbow Residency and Satheesh Amilineni from Green Glen Layout. There was discussion among arrived members till 9:45am on how weeding can be done and different equipment available in market for this kind of activity.

Members started entering lake bed at around 9:45am and started weeding activity. We have planned to start weeding from one side and proceed towards other side and cover area of a one big rectangle. Water depth was about 1.5 feet at the shore and gradually increased to 3 feet when we moved towards the center of the lake.

When weeding activity started it was very easy for volunteers to throw the waste grass on to the shore from lake bed. Challange has appeared in 2 ways. First challange was with thorns on lake bed in water. Every volunteer at front line has pricks and bruises due to thorns and sharp stones. Infact volunteers cleared thorns, therma coal, plastic covers and glass bottles apart from the grass. Second challange was in throwing out the waste when we started moving away from the shore. Some experienced members like Ramesh Shivaram & Rajesh Rao gave idea of forming human chain in passing on the plucked grass to the shore. One successful idea was using of tubs. When grass was plucked it was put on to a floating tub. Filled floating tubs were passed back to the shore in human chain. After one point tubs were not of use as the grass size increased from 2 feet to 5 feet. Some of the grass trees were more than 2 kilos and more than 4 feet tall.

Members came up with innovative ways of passing on the plucked grass using broken logs and pushing floating grass to the shore in human chain. Children of age 6 to 9 years entered into water and went along with the adults towards center of the lake. I remember Baby Era and Master Siddarth were so active in the human chain and appeared enjoying themselves as if it was a life time opportunity. I don't think every child will get such an opportunity to enjoy plucking grass in lake water.

Members enjoyed seeing different species in lake. First one found was Purple Heron by Rajesh Rao then Fresh Water Prawns and Snails by Ramesh Shivaram. Enjoyed watching Ducks got agitated and flying on lake when Kytes started flying at low height near center of the lake. Volunteers were very sensitive while weeding and found bird eggs in a nest at the middle of a grass tree (see the picture below). Volunteers left that particular grass tree untouched.


Biscuits and tea was served for few times to all volunteers in the human chain during weeding operation and all volunteers had a big glow on their faces with satisfaction after seeing the portion of the lake bed got cleaned.

After the activity ended we could see coverage was about 20% of the lake area in a rectangular shape towards the entrance of the lake.

Activity was successful with some RSS members from Kaikondrahalli Shaka joining the activity and it wouldn't have been successful without some labour arranged by Rajesh Rao, active member of FORward150 from Trinity Acres and Woods. Infact weeding idea came from Rajesh Rao and it was taken forward with strong determination by choice by the other active members of FORward150. At the end of the operation it was declared that Mrs.Ashwini operated from front line was the most energetic volunteer and the whole team went in applause for the same.

Discussion on future course of action among active members of FORward150 went on till 12:45pm. It was decided to continue the operation for 1 or 2 days of 3-4 hours each during weekends to remove grass from remaining portion of the lake bed. Later everybody left to their homes for a good shower and lunch.